This Just In: Pillow Pummeling Heals Hatred

My children hate me. They say so, everday. When they are made to clean up their own messes, stop pummeling their fellow sibling, obey rules of the house, or any other activity that requires self restraint and effort, they react by letting me know just how much they rue the fact that they were not ”born” a manufactured robot and have a human mother, especially me. We butt heads, we bicker and they pack their bags, frequently, threatening to drop off the face of the earth (or at least the face of the “Planet Prescott.”)

Why do I put up with daily verbal abuse, horrendous messes, unfathomable stress and wrinkle inducing situations? I’ll tell you why. Every once in awhile, I get the opportunity to be the mommy they love. I get to lower myself to their level (physically and mentally speaking,) shed my mommy persona and have some unbridled fun time with the little people I created. Suddenly, the shift in character creates a rare, lighthearted mood. They forget to hate me. I transform into a big kid. I am their playmate. I am the instigator of tickle fights and the victim of flying pillows. I get to shun the rules, let my hair down and be the person that my kids wish I could be, all the time. Gone is the person known as “Mom.” My kids love this time of silliness. It creates a renewed bond. The only thing that I regret about this ritual, is that I did not get to do it with my own mom. My mom was so tightly wound, that I never saw her relax, much less smile and have fun. I do not want my kids to remember me that way. I want them to remember that I was a disciplinarian, an imperfect human and (deep down) a silly little girl who loves a good pillow fight.

So, I ask you, “When was the last time you shed your mommy persona?” If you cannot remember, then it has been way too long. Trust me when I tell you that you won’t regret doing it. It will probably shock your kids and tickle them pink. Go ahead…shut down the computer and get out the dress ups. Challenge your teens to a Wii game of tennis. Cook up some silly ideas with your little ones. I guarantee that they will hold these kind of memories close to their hearts, as they get older. Plus, it is really helps prove them wrong when they say that they hate you and you can pull out photographic evidence of them laughing in your arms!